Vote for new Omaha V-A Medical Center building nears

Congress is expected to vote soon on a bill that would move forward the expansion at the V-A Medical Center in Omaha. 2nd District Congressman Brad Ashford is the bill’s sponsor and says they were hoping for a vote in the Senate last night but that was delayed. That vote could take place yet today.

Congressman Ashford says, “We posted our bill for a suspension vote, meaning it will probably be voiced over tomorrow, Wednesday. It unleashes the $56-million that has already been appropriated and leverages that with private donor money to build this new facility.”

Ashford says private donors have stepped forward to answer the charge. They include Walter Scott, Mike Yanney and Mike McCarthy. The building will be constructed locally by a non-profit board and will donate it back to the V-A.

There has been some confusion as to what this new building will be. Ashford says this is not a traditional hospital building. He says this will be a smaller medical facility that will be able to handle outpatient health and mental health needs. He says this is the direction of healthcare today.